Just when I was beginning to feel stagnated in life and definitely needed to learn and upgrade my knowledge to be a better practitioner, I met a divinely humble personality about 8 months ago. Lovingly called Joshi Kaka because if there’s something he has to offer to the ones who have an encounter with him, it’s an abundance of love, affection and alacrity. After my first meeting with him, I knew I’d found my next motive in life. It was to visit his ashram and expose myself to an aspect of life some of us can only dream of experiencing.

My journey to “Om Swami Samarth Sadhana Kendra” began in July 2016. Situated about 20 minutes before Shrivardhan in the Konkan region, this ashram is located in the middle of a dense jungle.

A beautiful view of the ashram at sunrise

The ashram premises have plants, shrubs and trees of medicinal importance spread across many acres. Overlooking the Sahyadri Hills, every corner of the ashram has an interesting story to narrate.

The beauty that this place is during rains

No wonder I felt an immediate sense of belonging and calmness take over my mind after setting foot in the ashram. The aura and vibes of the place are something else.

The ashram was founded over fifteen years ago by Param Pujya Kakaji. It is a powerful sanctum of peace, meditation and serenity. The trees and plants that grow here are no ordinary trees. They are yogis in disguise; they’ve been grown using techniques like Cosmic Healing and Mantra Shashtra (Science of Sacred Sounds). How else can you think of having rare trees being able to sustain themselves in a climate that is a complete opposite of what they actually require to survive?

Nakshatra Garden- Trees with powerful healing aura

That’s the power of Mantra Shashtra. Trees are powerhouses of energy, not only because they provide oxygen to living creatures for their survival, but because they are the ones holding the planet together. If we understand sooner that THEY aren’t here because of US, WE are here because of THEM; we really can save our planet and some of its resources for our future generations!

The varieties of Ayurvedic medicinal plants here left me in awe. After getting to know the number, it was nothing less than surprising. A whopping 4000 medicinal plants including their varieties and everything being taken care of single-handedly during initial years! Some of the herbs and trees that I’ve been studying about are Pippali (Piper longum), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) , Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus Ganitrus Roxb), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) and many more.

What amazes me is just how effective these herbs are; even a mild dose is capable of giving you your desired results! What else can a doctor ask for?

We’ve all heard that trees have feelings too, but really, that’s not it! I don’t think any of us take measures to live this fact. There is a wide range of scientific evidence showing time spent near trees and woods can benefit humans by reducing hypertension, stress and anxiety. Every tree has its own characteristics and nature, just like humans do. Some of us are short-tempered, impatient while others are calm, composed and always in a balanced state of mind. Trees possess such traits too. It is not very easy to befriend a tree and especially a tree that has been grown with Mantra Shastra because then, the tree too is highly educated, it has been taught to behave in a particular way and it exactly knows what’s happening around it. Another fascinating fact is that every tree has its own aura. An aura is an actual energy field that exists around things. There are special instruments that measure and display the aura of an object or a human. These trees very well determine the aura of a person from a distance and that decides if they want you to get near them or not! If it doesn’t like you, it’ll make sure you don’t get near it.

There have been several tests on aura analysis. Sitting under the trees to meditate or simply sitting down silently for about 20 minutes to half an hour has led to a healthy drop in the blood pressure of individuals with elevated blood pressure. A before and after has been done to determine this aspect. Also, the aura of a lot of individuals has been found to have changed from red (negative) to green (positive).

Cosmic Healing sessions in progress

Cosmic Healing Session II

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Several people have benefitted from Cosmic Healing and the auras of people before, during and after the process show drastic differences. It is so alarming that so many of us are in a negative mental state and desperately need healing! I personally experienced a feeling of calmness and light-headedness after meditating under the mango tree, the aura of which I happen to share. I could feel a connection being established after spending an hour under the tree for over 7-8 days regularly and the feeling is utterly indescribable!

Pujya Kakaji has groomed these trees right since they were saplings, Mantra chikitsa was then performed and then they were planted. He has also performed Cosmic Healing on the trees during their growing phase. Imagine the kind of bonding he has with the trees! The trees literally whisper into his ears when he is around them. They communicate and convey to him their problems, if any.

Pujya Kakaji doing what he loves best

Today, after eight months of constant learning and observation, the way I look at trees and the entire cosmos has completely changed. The amount of affection I showered on these plants and trees got doubled while I was getting it back from them. I found real friends in their form and my emotional needs were met with. It is difficult to put in words what I feel for these trees.

Red Jamuns

I planted some kisses and this is what I got in return 🙂

It’s time we realized that it is not some superpower that’ll save us from miseries, it is these elements of nature! Can we vow to plant at least one tree and take care of it till it grows and is capable of sustaining itself? I don’t think it is an unachievable task for as far as we are headstrong about our intentions, everything just falls in place.

Vishakha is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga counselor and a passionate traveler. She lays emphasis on living a healthy life by nourishing the body and mind with wholesome and natural food, meditation and yogic techniques. An Indian at heart, she aims at propagating the goodness of the Indian culture across the seven seas and stimulating thoughts by creating a hunger for knowledge.

One of the biggest changes as winter comes to an end is the rising temperature and the increasing body heat that follows. The transition from winter to spring and spring to summer is one of the most interesting and important one. Spring is said to be the season in which Kapha dosha dominates in our body. As the accumulated snow begins to melt with the rising heat, the accumulated Ama (undigested food) in the body also begins to slowly liquefy. The increased Kapha too that melts, clogs the ‘Srotas’ (micro circulatory channels) in the body. This leads to a lot of Ama-related diseases which are a result of diminished Jatharagni (digestive fire).

Winter is the healthiest season of the year owing to the favorable weather conditions. The cold usually keeps the Pitta dosha in control thus preventing Pitta-related disorders. The Kapha dosha begins to accumulate in the body with the increasing cold without causing too many problems. The aggravated Vata however, causes Vataja Vikara like Joint and Muscular pain, Dry Skin and Arthritis. As spring arrives, all the winter-related disorders come under control and the diseases caused by liquefying Kapha take over. The most common spring problems are allergies, rhinitis, sinusitis, indigestion, asthma, cold and cough.

Spring Allergies

Annually, millions of people fall prey to seasonal allergies or seasonal allergic rhinitis which is most common with the onset of spring. People cannot enjoy spring due to constant sneezing and sniffling. Fortunately, Ayurvedic scriptures already have a mention of the solution to all such problems. It is brilliant, how carefully this science was designed ages back bringing forth the most intricate details that hold relevance even in today’s age.

As per Ayurveda, the duration from mid March to mid May constitutes the Vasant Ritu or Spring season. The body’s natural tendency is to flush out the toxins by liquefying the Kapha. Hence, we must assist in helping the body get rid of the toxins by taking measures that can keep us healthy and happy for a long time. When spring sets in, Ayurveda advises certain lifestyle modifications that can keep the seasonal ailments in check.

1. Honey should become an integral part of our daily routine. It should be consumed early in the morning on an empty stomach as it helps in controlling Kapha dosha.

Picture Credits: www.stevenaitchinson.co.uk.

2. Kick start your mornings by performing Jalaneti with moderately warm, saline water. This clears the nasal passages and sinuses and further prevents accumulation of mucus.

3. Oil massage followed by Udvartan (dry powder massage) with Chandan, Aguru ensures protection of the skin from Kapha-related skin disorders. It also improves the immunity by strengthening the body.

4. Asava, Arishta (Ayurvedic self-generating alcoholic preparations), Sidhu, Mardvik should be consumed on a daily basis in moderate quantity. It’s best to consume them during the Kapha time which is from 6 am to 10 am. People who have a hot constitution should consume them in limits and with caution.

5. Grains that have been stored for a long period of time should be consumed. The older they get, the richer and lighter they are to digest. Intake of Jowar (Hordeum vulgare) and Barley also has been proved to improve immunity.

Picture Credits: www.curiouscuisiniere.com

6. Moderate to heavy exercise is advisable for those with good strength. Exercise helps the body to get rid of excess Kapha dosha and it also eliminates toxins from the skin through sweat.

7. Sipping on warm water occasionally throughout the day is highly recommended as this helps the body digest excess Ama and Kapha.

8. Day sleep is strictly contraindicated as this could lead to an increased Kapha dosha, thus leading to further aggravation of Kapha.

9. Vasant ritu is the season for periodic body cleansing as the body’s natural tendency is to do so. Ayurveda recommends body cleansing during Vasant in the form of Vaman (Emesis) or induced vomiting under expert supervision to eliminate body toxins. The other procedures to be performed are Dhumapana (Herbal Smoking), Gandusha (Oil Pulling) and Nasya (Nasal oil therapy), all under an Ayurvedic practitioner’s guidance.

10. Generous use of spices like dry and fresh ginger, turmeric, garlic, onions that can help digest Ama should be made.

Picture Credits: Shutterstock

With some wise modifications in diet and lifestyle, everyone can dream of living a disease-free spring.

Ayurvedafinder wishes all its readers a “Happy Spring”!

About The Author

Vishakha is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga counselor and a passionate traveler. She lays emphasis on living a healthy life by nourishing the body and mind with wholesome and natural food, meditation and yogic techniques. An Indian at heart, she aims at propagating the goodness of the Indian culture across the seven seas and stimulating thoughts by creating a hunger for knowledge.

I came into practicing and teaching meditation through my interest in Vayu and how this element affects our everyday life. I learned during my Ayurveda studies that there is a major force which governs our mind and therefore our body. This major force is called Vayu, or the vital function of life. The great sage, Acharya Charaka, likened Vayu to God, so great did he see its importance to the world.

Importance of Vayu in Charak Samhita.

Vayu can be translated from the Sanskrit to mean ‘movement’. In the natural world Vayu is present in the flow of rivers, burning of fire, rain, movement of the planets and stars, the formation of clouds, the growth of plants and the climate. An imbalanced Vayu leads to fierce winds, earthquakes, natural disasters, and climatic changes.

Effects of Vata in Nature

In the individual, Vayu is the binding force behind the dhatus, the structural form of the body; it stimulates the agni, the digestive fire; it expels the waste products of the body; it is responsible for the sense organs and for the happiness and energy of the person. The Vayu in the body is known as Vata and an increase or imbalanced vata does not make a happy person. Too much vata in the person can lead to a reduction in strength of the body; an irregular appetite and digestion; a feeling of being unrooted and not stable; depression, anxiety, fear and general mental instability.

There are four ways in which this state of Vata can be balanced.

1. Changing the quality of food taken.

2. Purvakarma therapies of oleation (oil therapies).

3. Undertaking a regime of yoga and pranayama (breathing techniques).

4. Meditation and adopting a positive outlook of life.

The qualities of vayu or vata are dry, cold, and light. This means that the quality of food we intake should be less dry and cold foods, such as salads and we should eat more more warming foods, such as soups.

Nourishing, Warm Foods

Purvakarma therapies in the form of oil therapies should be regularly taken in a person where the Vata has become imbalanced. The main oil therapy in Ayurveda is Abhyanga, or the full body oil application. Warm oil is applied to the body and downward strokes given. The qualities of oil are unctuous and warm so the opposite of dry and cold. These qualities along with the downward stokes, which move the Vata away from the mind and towards the feet therefore grounding the person, effectively balance the Vata. In fact the oil therapies are so effective that the person can feel the benefits of the decrease in Vata after the first treatment.

The third main way in which Vata can be balanced is by undertaking a practice of yoga and pranayama. The ancient science of yoga goes hand in hand with the teachings of Ayurveda. Yoga asanas or postures work deeply with the breath of the person thus directly with the prana or vital life-force of the person. Each posture focuses on the breath to come into or come out of the posture, and this helps the person control their breathing. By deep breathing we are automatically relaxing the body and balancing our prana or the Vata which has become increased.

A simple breathing technique or pranayama is deep breathing with a longer exhalation than inhalation. This is excellent to relax the body and great to do before any stressful situations, such as job interviews or exams.

Sit as relaxed as possible and start to listen to the breath. Then inhale to a count of five and exhale to a longer count of ten. Do not worry if your exhalation seems too short to begin with and you cannot last the full count of ten. This will improve the more you practise and the main objective is to exhale longer than you inhale so even if you reach seven or eight counts, that is fine.

Another essential life breathing exercise which can be learnt by anyone and the effects felt almost immediately is Nadi-Sudhi.

Again try and sit in a relaxed state, and start to listen to your breath. Inhale deeply through the left nostril by closing the right, then close the left nostril and exhale the air out of the right. Then inhale from the right nostril and exhale out of the left. This is one round. The first stage of Nadi-Sudhi is not to worry how long you are inhaling or exhaling but to just inhale and exhale to your maximum capacity.

Both of these two breathing techniques will decrease Vata and help bring about calm.

The fourth way to balance Vata in the body is by Meditation. In my opinion this ancient art in your daily routine, will allow you to bring more joy into your life. Meditation works by changing the mindset of the person. Being in the moment, allowing positive thoughts in, expressing gratitude are all aspects of a meditative practice and will help you grow and maintain a positive outlook.

In combination these four techniques of eating differently, oil therapies, yoga and meditation can greatly benefit the vayu by regulating it and not letting it become imbalanced. This will in turn balance the mind and thus the body. In our overly busy and rushed world, we all need to decrease our increased Vata. Try one of the methods today, your body and mind will love you for it.

About the Author

Bindi’s journey to her soul offerings started in 2001 with a visit to an Ayurveda retreat in India. After discovering how good it felt to receive deep natural health-care and what a difference this made to her life, she embarked on a course in India to learn more of this ancient art. The year-long study in India included theory from the ancient scriptures, learning the poetic language of Sanskrit, Vedic-astrology, Yoga, Meditation and Herbs. It was an amazing experience and on returning to London, she set up her business helping people with the knowledge she had gained. Bindi has wonderful soul offerings in her online school and is writing her first book based on life coaching techniques which have helped her and her clients.

“The only species that becomes nutritionally deficient is the human species. And we do so because we’ve completely lost touch with the inner wisdom of our bodies.”

Ayurveda has this wonderful way of explaining how we as human beings are unique from every other human being on the planet. This applies to the Prakruti (body constitution), the mental makeup and the eating habits. Eating does not mean feeding your body to sustain it; eating is an art and one must master it. How often do we carefully pick what we eat and concentrate on how our body assimilates it? Hardly ever! And that’s exactly where our problems begin.

Intelligent food is that which is full of “Prana”(life), energy and strength. It has the power to influence your consciousness and thoughts. At the same time, food brings anger, happiness and contentment depending on the way it is cooked and on the vibrations of the person who cooks it. The quality of food literally affects your mind, body and your thoughts. When you are aware of the qualities of foods you eat, you are being a conscious and a wise eater. But with all the chaos going on in our heads, we miss out on these simple pleasures of life.

Picture Source: www.shutterstock.com

How to be a Wise Eater?

1. Love the regional food- Food is life, it is the source of energy and it is an entity that has been wisely created by nature. Foods that are whole, unadulterated and that grow in your own region have the highest nutritive value and are intelligent in nature. Traditionally, Indians used to eat a fair amount of Bajra (Pearl Millet), Jowar (Sorghum) and Ragi (Finger Millet). These foods were packed with health, antioxidants and nutrition. We need to revive our love for traditional foods which is the only way we can save our future generations from hoards of allergies, nutrition deficiencies and other health problems.

Picture Source: www.yogadelmar.com

2. Include all six tastes in your meal- When your body craves unhealthy food, it’s because your body isn’t getting its dose of all the six tastes namely- Sweet, Sour, Salty, Pungent, Bitter and Astringent. So it’s important that we include foods that fall under each category. Also, you should always begin your meal with something sweet and then eat the other foods one-by- one in the above mentioned order.

3. Minimize restaurant eating- No matter how much a restaurant claims to use safe ingredients and healthy cooking measures, restaurant food can be far from safe and healthy. Most of the time, we are unaware of the source of the ingredients esp. when the foods are animal-based. The kind of cooking oils used, the nature of the ingredients whether they are freshly bought or have been stored in the freezer for a long time is unknown to us. It’s always a better option to eat freshly cooked home food.

4. Avoid stale foods- Foods that are cooked in the morning can be eaten at night but foods that have been cooked at night shouldn’t be eaten in the morning since they turn stale due to night’s tamasik Also, the nutrients in the food die out. Stale food increases acid secretion that in turn worsens diseases like hyperacidity, digestive disorders and other ama-related disorders.

Picture Source: www.banyanbotanicals.com

5. Eat the five main Sattvik foods in their natural, organic form when possible- Milk, Ghee, Honey, Fruit, Almonds. Milk is revered in Ayurvedic philosophy as a complete food.

6. Avoid eating canned and frozen foods- Every living food is full of Prana when it’s fresh. Food that has been frozen or preserved is devoid of prana. How much prana is present in a particular food is dependent on the length of time it has been frozen. As a rule of thumb, if your food hasn’t seen sunlight in a while, it’s best to reduce your consumption of that food or eliminate it from your diet altogether.

So many of us complain about our lack of energy, increased sluggishness and exhaustion; this is where the energy actually starts to manifest. Feed your body and mind with natural, prana-rich foods that have the power to entirely change the way you think and look at your body. Not only that, start maintaining a routine and sticking to it whole-heartedly. Eating is a sacred act of filling your body with good energy and life. The love, joy and happiness you feel while cooking it will bring the energy back into your life.

So vow to start eating your way to a healthy body and a sound mind!

Vishakha is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga counselor and a passionate traveler. She lays emphasis on living a healthy life by nourishing the body and mind with wholesome and natural food, meditation and yogic techniques. An Indian at heart, she aims at propagating the goodness of the Indian culture across the seven seas and stimulating thoughts by creating a hunger for knowledge.

The year went by and yet again we are surprised how fast time flies! In the effort to catch up with life’s pace, we compromise on a lot of aspects of our health. By the time the first month of the New Year goes by, the year’s resolutions are already a thing of the past. The bottom line is, we need to set goals that are realistic and achievable. The good news is Ayurveda is full of natural health tips that can totally change your life for good.

The formula for a lasting New Year resolution

The problem begins when we see a resolution as something that ties us up or stops us from doing a thing that we otherwise enjoy doing. To extract the literal meaning of the word “resolve”, we need to get to the root of the word and the true meaning of the word is “to loosen”, “untie” or “release”. Through this lens, a resolution is something that should help you liberate your heartfelt desire free into the world. There needs to be a willingness to achieve your desire rather than sheer willpower. The idea is to find your true purpose in life and wholeheartedly work towards achieving it.

Easy Tips to Have a Fruitful Year and a Life Ahead Through Ayurveda

1) Realize the true purpose that makes you “surrender”.

Source: www.yogajournal.com

Most of the days in life, we are merely running behind temporary and materialistic things that fade away with time. The energy to pursue them is at the highest level at the very start. When you have the zeal and enthusiasm to stick to a cause till the end, that’s when you’ve really found your purpose. The best way to assess your inner self to realize your goal is to meditate regularly. The word “meditation” as fancy as it may sound is the practice of constantly focusing upon your inner self to unite the body with the senses. The practice of meditation will bring stability, well-being and success in every endeavor.

2) Vow to listen to your body.

Your body is more intelligent than you thought. It talks to us, signals us and naturally heals us. May be we aren’t wise enough to listen when it starts talking to us. When you’ve overeaten it signals you to not eat the next meal before the previous meal is completely digested. When your body needs fluids, it signals you to drink water by inducing thirst. When you suffer from constipation, your body is telling you to drink more fluids and eat fiber-rich diet. The day we patiently listen to our body’s needs, we add more life to our years and more years to our life!

3) Understand the seasonal cycles and their relationship with the body.

The core principle of Ayurveda is that the human body shares an intimate relationship with the universe. Just like the universe is made up of “Panchamahabhoota”, the foundation of the human body too is soundly laid upon the five elements. Changes in the seasons cause bodily changes and it is important that we are aware of them. Ayurvedic scriptures offer an in-depth explanation of the seasonal changes and their impact on the body; how the diet and activity regimen needs to gradually change as the seasons change and what purification therapies can be performed to prevent seasonal ailments.

4) Sleep to your heart’s content.

Source: www.chopra.com

Unless you’re a yogi, your body cannot tolerate stressful conditions that too with less sleep. It is important to improve the quality of sleep. The golden rule is to sleep during the Kapha time which ends at 10 PM. So ideally, it is important to go to bed before 10 PM so your sleep takes on that deeply restful quality. The activities that induce good sleep include warm oil feet massage, listening to relaxing instrumental music and meditating sitting over the bed. The other important aspect is to avoid using electronic gadgets before bedtime. A good night’s sleep is the first step to waking up cheery and contended.

5) Fight stress and celebrate success when it comes after a lot of hard work.

Source: www.ayurveda.org

Making positive changes in your life can never be an easy accomplishment. Staying motivated all the time can get extremely difficult especially during times of crisis. Ayurveda offers us hope in every regard. Stressful times can be fought courageously by self-analysis. Sometimes the causes of stress aren’t as mighty as they might seem. Reanalyzing the problems in this case helps. The regular practice of deep breathing, yoga and abhyanga brings in a lot of changes in our body and mind. Deep breathing helps calm tired nerves and induces mental stability, thereby helping us think with clarity and calmness.

Success that comes after all these struggles ought to be celebrated. By celebrating our successes, we are acknowledging our hard work and rewarding our progress.

Years come and go! The challenge is to keep up with our resolutions no matter what. Ayurveda considers that life is rested upon three pillars namely food, sleep and proper action. Food that should be taken in a timely manner and sleep that is sufficient and timely and then the actions that follow would be life-supporting, evolutionary and progressive. You’ll be surprised to see how your mind works when it is well-fed and well-rested. That way you can take charge of your own life!

Ayurvedafinder wishes its readers a “Happy and A Prosperous New Year”.

Vishakha is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga counselor and a passionate traveler. She lays emphasis on living a healthy life by nourishing the body and mind with wholesome and natural food, meditation and yogic techniques. An Indian at heart, she aims at propagating the goodness of the Indian culture across the seven seas and stimulating thoughts by creating a hunger for knowledge.

The internet is currently full of articles that talk about Ayurveda as the “Detox Science”. It’s quite disappointing to come across nutrition experts and other Non-Ayurveda people taking this ancient Indian science into their hands and modifying the knowledge to their convenience. Ayurveda, on the other hand, is a very well-researched science with strong roots. The effort of every “authentic Ayurveda practitioner therefore, is to preserve this ancient wealth by not compromising on the basic principles while still carrying on with the research and changing medicines according to the changing times.

“Pancha” means five and “Karma” means treatment or procedures. Panchakarma is not just a “detox science”. It is a whole branch of Ayurveda that precisely explains acute and chronic medical conditions and the procedures that can cure it. These five procedures eliminate accumulated wastes and vitiated doshas out of the body.

Picture Credits: www.shriayu.com

According to Ayurveda, the human body is a network of channels (srotas), both microscopic and macroscopic. The various systems of the body and their functions are aided by these channels. Diseases occur when “Aam” (undigested food matter) gets accumulated and clogs these channels in the body. Chronic diseases are difficult to treat because the toxins are lodged deeply inside these channels and mere medicine consumption is not enough to get rid of them.

Panchakarma therapy can be administered to both healthy and unhealthy people. Panchakarma therapy is also used as a purification therapy to cleanse the body before starting an internal treatment. A diseased body can be compared to a soiled cloth. A soiled cloth cannot pick up color unless it is washed or cleaned. Thus, the body too needs cleansing before a treatment can be started. The cleared channels help medicines to penetrate deeper.

The five karma are as follows:

Vamana- Emesis (Vomiting)

Virechana- Purgation (Evacuation of bowels through laxatives)

Niruha Basti- Enema with herbal concoctions

Anuvasana Basti- Enema with medicated oils

Nasya (Nasal drops administration)

Picture Credits: www.prakruthiayurveda.org

Vamana– Expelling the doshas through the oral route is called Vamana. Before the actual procedure, the vitiated doshas are brought to the stomach by the preparatory methods like regular whole body oil massage followed by a steam bath. This liquefies the doshas and brings them to the stomach which can later be expelled by administering concoctions for vomiting.

Vamana chikitsa is suggested in diseases which mainly involve kapha dosha. Some of the best examples are cough, asthma, skin diseases, sinusitis, and digestion problems.

Virechana– Expelling the doshas through purgation is called Virechana. Virechana is an easier procedure as compared to Vamana. It helps in eliminating toxins from blood, liver and intestines. Virechan chikitsa is suggested in diseases which mainly involve pitta dosha. Some of the examples are fistula, headache, acidity, anemia, jaundice and ascites.

Picture Credits: www.amrutayucare.com

Basti– Basti karma is expelling body toxins and vitiated doshas by introducing medicated liquids or oils through anus, urethra or vaginal canal. Basti karma is suggested in diseases due to vata dosha. Some of the examples are neuro muscular conditions, joint pain, paralysis, obesity, low back pain, spondylosis and menstrual problems in women. Basti is of two types:

In Anuvasana basti medicated oil is introduced through anus, immediately after the consumption of food. There will be no harm even if medicated oil remains inside colon for a long time. This type of basti nourishes and strengthens the body.

In Niruha basti an enema of herbal decoction is administered on an empty stomach. The decoction should ideally come out within 45 minutes. This expelled decoction usually pulls out the toxins and vitiated doshas from the body and cleanses the body.

Picture Credits: www.itoozhiayurveda.in

Nasya– The administration of herbal liquids or medicated oils through the nasal route is called nasya. Through this method, the vitiated doshas which are accumulated in the area above the neck are expelled out through the nose and mouth via nasal and oral secretions. There are various ways of administering nasya chikitsa; nasya with medicated oils, squeezed juice of herbs, fine powders of herbs and fumes of medicinal herbs.

Ayurveda has explained how according to changing seasons, the dosha domination in our body changes leading to an array of diseases in that season. Each karma is thus focused on treating a specific disorder related to that specific dosha during that specific season. The sound knowledge of all these aspects of this science gives a practitioner the confidence of curing a lot of diseases which have otherwise been declared “incurable” by other sciences.

What can you expect after these procedures?

Picture Credits: www.basis-holidaysinindia.com

The panchakarma procedures affect the person as a whole. You can notice changes on physical, mental and emotional levels. There will be better perception by the senses and you may also experience a healing crisis. All this is indicative of only one thing; the careful study of every disease condition by the ancient sages and a parallel treatment procedure for the same.

Note: All these procedures need to be conducted under the strict supervision of an Ayurvedic practitioner.

About The Author

Vishakha is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga counselor and a passionate traveler. She lays emphasis on living a healthy life by nourishing the body and mind with wholesome and natural food, meditation and yogic techniques. An Indian at heart, she aims at propagating the goodness of the Indian culture across the seven seas and stimulating thoughts by creating a hunger for knowledge.

Deepawali (festival of lights), the biggest and brightest of all the Hindu festivals is almost around the corner in India. Indians all over the world heartily celebrate the festival of lights and the celebrations know no bounds.

Picture Credits: www.kids.nationalgeographic.com

Historically, the origin of Diwali, traces back to ancient India, when it was an important harvest festival. All Indian festivals possess high significance with respect to nature’s effects on the body during the specific seasons. Diwali comes in the fall season, when the weather is slowly changing. The days are sunny, yet pleasantly cool and comfortable and nights are slightly chilly, clear and cloudless. The weather is mild, pleasant and refreshing. According to Ayurveda, it is a season in which Vata is slowly taking over the Pitta dosha in nature and so similar changes are seen in the body composition, thus leading to aggravation of Vata dosha and disturbance in the Pitta dosha. The traditions of Diwali focus on pacifying the disturbed Pitta and controlling Vata with various Ayurvedic rituals.

The rituals and their importance:

1. Waking up during Brahma muhurta .

It is the pre-dawn period when the “ Sattva “ (pure, positive energy) is high in nature. Vata governs the hours between 2 am and 6 am. This aids in naturally and easily eliminating the wastes out of the body. Due to the increasingly stressful lifestyle, it is hard to wake up during the early morning hours on a regular basis. It is at least recommended to be awake on Brahma muhurta during the three days of Diwali.

2. Practice of Pranayam

Practicing pranayam during the early morning hours on the day of Diwali ensures a sound mind and body. The negative frequencies are high in the atmosphere along with the presence of Divine frequencies too. Meditating during times of distress helps the body absorb the positive energy, thus driving out the negativity.

3. Abhyanga (Massage Oil)

Picture Credits: www.sundaysatsang.blogspot.com

The benefits of an Ayurvedic oil massage aren’t unknown to us. An abhyanga leads to an increase in Sattva guna and decrease in Raja and Tama. The effects usually stay for 4-5 hours. During the days of Diwali, an abhyanga snan reaps 6% more benefits than on other days.

The best Ayurvedic oils that could be used for abhyanga are oils that have been prepared using fragrant Ayurvedic herbs like chandan, ushira, nagarmotha, bala etc.

The fragrant oils have the ability to attract divine frequencies flowing in the atmosphere, thus by massaging, the Divine Principle is attracted in the body and due to the Energy frequencies in the oil the distressing frequencies are obstructed. The other benefits include pacification of Vata dosha, reduction in dryness and stiffness, boost in the functioning of the nervous system and considerable improvement in sleep patterns. The fragrance also helps in balancing Pitta dosha which is in an aggravated form due to the seasonal changes.

4. Udvartanam (Rubbing Fragrant Powders)

Picture Credits: www.vedictherapies.com

The practice of rubbing fragrant medicinal powders after an oil massage is called “Udvartan”. Not only is it a part of Ayurvedic daily regimen (Dinacharya), it has been an important ritual during the festival of Diwali. The powder massage is done in the direction opposite to that of the body hair i.e. upward direction.

Vagbhata describes the benefits of this powder massage beautifully in a verse.

Udvartan helps in reducing excess Kapha dosha (thus helping in weight loss) and liquefies and mobilizes morbid fat / adipose tissue. It provides stability to the body and rejuvenates the skin, helps the skin get rid of dead cells and restores youth by inducing freshness.

The ubatan is raja-dominant and associated with the absolute Fire element. It thus bestows the body with good energy, apart from curbing other skin-related problems.

5. Snan (Hot Water Bath)

Picture Credits: www.101myyoruba.com

The best act among all the Diwali rituals is when fragrant warm water (treated with rose petals and natural perfumes) is poured over the body after the abhyanga and udvartan. This warm water bath washes away the excess oil but preserves the essential oils present in the skin, thus keeping the skin moisturized. It restores the glow, revitalizes the skin and cleanses the pores of the skin. A warm water bath post-massage also alleviates body pain and strain of any kind, improves blood circulation and relieves body stiffness.

6. Diwali Faraal (Sweets)

Diwali sweets and snacks are based on Ayurvedic principles too. If one of the ingredients in the sweets is dry in nature, there’s other that counters the effects of the dry ingredients. The sweets and snacks help us in controlling the dryness of the body which is caused by the changing weather. This diet and daily routine isn’t just meant for Diwali days, it is supposed to be followed throughout fall and winter season to stay healthy and balanced.

Ayurveda strongly believes that health cannot be gained without spiritual well-being. Thus, most of the Indian festivals are designed such that all the aspects are taken care of leading to mental, physical and spiritual well-being. With the changing lifestyles, most of these intelligently crafted rituals have been long-forgotten. It’s time we looked back to carefully preserve the traditional wealth passed down to us by our ancestors.

„May light triumph over darkness,

May peace transcend the Earth,

May Ayurveda regain its lost glory,

May the spirit of light illuminate the world. „

Picture Credits: www.diwalimubarak.com

AyurvedaFinder WISHES EVERYONE A JOYOUS AND A DAZZLING DIWALI!

Shubh Deepawali !!

About the Author

Vishakha is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga counselor and a passionate traveler. She lays emphasis on living a healthy life by nourishing the body and mind with wholesome and natural food, meditation and yogic techniques. An Indian at heart, she aims at propagating the goodness of the Indian culture across the seven seas and stimulating thoughts by creating a hunger for knowledge.

“ Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.”

Although all these quotes on beauty hold true, one cannot deny the fact that beauty, even now and since times immortal, has been assessed on the basis of the flawlessness of the skin, the glow on the face, and the twinkle in the eye.

Source: www.ayurveda-products.eu

The secrets to a well-nourished body, a stable mind and a peaceful spirit lie hidden in the scriptures of the 5,000-year old holistic healing system of India, Ayurveda. To look beautiful one does not necessarily have to follow a complex beauty and diet regimen. Beauty simply begins with common sense. It can be as simple as eating at the right time, in the right quantity, sleeping well and managing stress wisely.

Our body is constantly undergoing transformation. These transformations are so subtle; it is hard to believe we are a completely different individual almost every seven years. The outer layer of the skin consists of dead cells which are constantly shedding. Same applies to our hair and nails. So what we see on the outside is actually a result of the body’s inner transformation on a fundamental level. Ayurvedic beauty is more than skin deep; it is a fundamental reflection of the state of our mind and body — the balance between mind, body and spirit.

The Three Secrets: The Ultimate Goals

Ayurveda unveils three secrets to a beautiful body and mind: Roopam, Gunam and Vayastyag.

Roopam refers to the outer beauty. It lies in the skin by the name Bhrajak Pitta.Bhrajak means “to shine”, and this can be observed in healthy people with a beautiful outer radiance. When the BhrajakPitta in the skin is in its healthy state, there’s no way it won’t reflect on the person’s face.

Gunam or inner beauty are the characteristics that make an individual kind, giving, patient and happy, can be observed in saints and masters practicing compassion, bhakti (devotion) and prem (love). It is hard to not be smitten by the inner light or beauty which radiates around people who are compassionate, giving, loving and kind.

Vayastyag refers to lasting beauty. As we grow, we ought to give up on certain practices and adopt new ones. In Ayurveda this is done through diet, routine, proper and timely use of herbal formulations and the regular experience of transcendence, which connects one to the non-changing level of existence. This kind of beauty and radiance can be observed in healthy, older people, young beyond their age and still getting better with it.

What maintains these three is a proper transformation which depends on our food, our activity, our consciousness, our digestion and our thoughts.

Each morning across India, people offer prayers to the radiant, resplendent and glorious Shri Surya Bhagwaan. The epitome of energy and radiance, Lord Sun is the remover of negative thoughts and anger from the minds of the worshipper, both of which hamper the inner and outer beauty. Indians have been effortlessly practicing sun-worshipping for centuries. The first ray of sun inspires for early success daily. Worshipping sun everyday and especially on Sundays by chanting mantra leads to all pleasures, good health and wealth in life.

Source: www.blissfullydomestic.com

Surya Pooja (Sun Worship)

Wear clean clothes after the morning shower. Fill fresh water in a copper container. Add Ashtagandha (Paste of Chandan and other fragrant herbs), red flowers and Akshat (raw unbroken rice) in the water and chant this mantra.

|| ऊँ सूर्याय नम: ||

While chanting the mantra, offer the holy water to the sun.

The practice of performing Suryanamaskar (Sun-Salutations) too, has been an integral part of the daily regimen of Indians. The radiance of the sun is absorbed by the body through the skin, thereby resulting in a glowing skin and a clear complexion. This practice also enables the skin to eliminate toxins through sweat thus preventing boils and pimples. We haven’t even begun talking about the other physical benefits of this practice like improved digestion, effective reduction of tummy fat and better kidney and lung functions.

Source: www.keralaayurveda.biz

Amongst the factors that make up a beautiful mind and body, discipline is a powerful beauty ingredient. Ayurveda has a very intelligent approach to cultivating beauteous habits. It asks you to weave little acts of discipline in the routines of life. If you spend 15 minutes of your pre-bath time giving yourself a warm oil massage, you are doing a huge favor on yourself. A whole body oil massage tightens the skin and strengthens the muscles, both in turn, leading to a youthful you! When you spend 5 minutes of your pre-bed time splashing cold water or a decoction of Triphala over your weary eyes, you are helping them wash away cloudy vision and burning, thus relaxing the under-eye muscles.

Source: Yoganonymous

For centuries, Indian women have kept their tresses healthy with natural oils, herbs, flowers and simple spices. Not only do these oils promote thick, healthy and lustrous hair, they also ward off cold, flu and headache, keeping you cool in hot weather and relaxing your mind by having a calming effect on it. Our face, they say is the mirror of our digestive system and the mind. The skin keeps us in constant connection with the textures and energies of our world, so it’s no wonder our faces reveal so much about our mental, emotional and physical status. Giving your face a herbal facial that could be prepared from fruits, herbal powders and milk or yoghurt; all based on your Prakruti will help you have a glowing, youthful skin.

Ayurveda also stresses on the importance of diet and adequate sleep because these factors are responsible for building and repair of the cells and tissues of the body. Eating for the spirit and spending time on the preparation of your food is essentially important. Consuming a diet rich in all the six tastes, tempered with spices, homemade ghee (clarified butter) and diet that includes whole fruits, grains and vegetables according to one’s Prakruti, is the key to a sound health. Regarding sleep, “Early to bed and early to rise” isn’t an overstatement and by that we mean, getting our much-needed sleep at the right time during the night. Making up for the lost night sleep by sleeping during the day can be less than healthy, not to mention other problems that come along, like weight gain, indigestion and decreased alertness. Sleep time is the only time when the body has an opportunity to repair, heal and rejuvenate itself and is thus very essential for both inner and outer beauty.

Source: Art of Living

It is also equally essential for the mind to rest from time-to-time. This can be achieved by filtering the noise out of your life. Once in a while, each one of us deserves to be alone, away from the noise. Just for a couple of hours during the day and at bed time, see nothing, hear nothing and do nothing. Stay away from cell phones, television sets and other electronic gadgets, even books for that matter. Meditate to enhance the inner peace because every act that you do to achieve inner peace in turn contributes to your goal of looking and feeling truly beautiful!

While diet and sleep are cornerstones, other factors like stress management hold equal importance. Practice meditation, listen to uplifting music more often and do anything and everything that balances your mind by uplifting the emotions. Have a positive attitude, serenity, purity of thought, word and action. Cut down the “I” (ego), get rid of the anger, jealousy and negative emotions. Ayurveda also recommends you to seek company of people who are jolly, happy and young at heart. Stop talking about those lines you’re seeing on your face because all this will make you feel older.

Source: www.watchfit.in

In today’s world where there’s no dearth of men and women spending loads of money on enhancing their features by going under the knife and applying layers of cosmetics on the face; be a natural! Be the naturally gorgeous, radiant and beautiful you! Let the radiance arise from a dynamic relationship between the inner and outer divine. Go beyond the color of the skin or the height of the cheekbones and find beauty in everyone around you.

Ayurvedafinder says “BE YOUR OWN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL WITH AYURVEDA”!

About the author

Vishakha is an Ayurveda practitioner, Yoga counselor and a passionate traveler​. She lays emphasis on living a healthy life by nourishing the body and mind with wholesome and natural food, meditation and yogic techniques. An Indian at heart, she aims at propagating the goodness of the Indian culture across the seven seas and stimulating thoughts by creating a hunger for knowledge.

“Holi is a time to reach out with the colors of joy. It is the time to love and forgive. It is the time that expresses the happiness of being loved and to be loved through colors.”

Photographer: Poras Chaudhary

It’s that time of the year yet again! It’s in the air; it’s all over the streets. India is awash with colors today. Holi falls on the full moon of the Vedic month of Falgun (mostly in March). The festival is celebrated joyously all across India with great pomp and vigor. The festival of colors also announces the rejuvenation in the form of spring; the end of colder days and the beginning of warmer days.

What’s really happening inside our bodies are subtle transformations, leaving our bodies feeling vulnerable. Winters are about strength, good health and harmony; Spring being the exact opposite. Sudden rise in the temperature along with the increasing humidity; such drastic changes in temperature are seen at no other time of the year. The previously accumulated Kapha (phlegm) starts melting with the heat, leading to many Kapha-related diseases in the body. It’s a relief to shed those winter clothes, hats and boots though it’s not always easy to shed those extra pounds that we may have put on during the winter.

In India, the Hindus follow the seasons according to the Hindu calendar. The Indian festivals aren’t just about unity and togetherness, a closer look and a little thought will reveal the significance of every festival and the rituals that come along with them. Holi is largely a North-Indian festival announcing the arrival of spring and more or less falls in the month of March every year. Come spring and we have an array of infections and ailments affecting the body and mind, the reason being a sudden increase in the bacteria that eagerly await wet conditions. The rising heat saps the body of its fluids, leaving it in peril and low on immunity. Amazingly, the ancient societies had their own ways of combating these adverse conditions.

On the day of Holi, as part of the rituals, people get together in large numbers and light fire. They perform “Parikrama” or move around the fire. The heat of the fire helps the body to get rid of the accumulated Kapha, thus preventing diseases that could be caused by the liquefied Kapha. People indulge in heavy activities like shouting slogans and walking briskly around the fire, all of which lead to the digestion of the increased phlegm; thereby rejuvenating the body and mind. Offerings of grains like wheat and barley are made to the Holi bonfire.

Photographer: Bernat Armangué

The most interesting aspect of this festival is the playful throwing of natural colored medicinal powders all over the streets and over each other. The powders are traditionally prepared from Ayurvedic herbs like Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Henna (Lawsonia inermis) for Green, Kumkum and Raktachandan (Pterocarpus santalinus) for Red, Haldi for Yellow(Curcuma longa), Jacaranda flowers for Blue and a lot of other wonderful herbs like Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Marigold (Tagetus erecta) and Yellow Chrysanthemums. All these powders have a Kapha-reducing property and the power to detox the skin or to help the skin get rid of its toxins.

A liquid solution is also prepared by mixing the fine powders with water loaded in water guns and sprayed over each other. Biologists believe the spraying of Abeer (liquid dye) helps the medicinal components to enter the pores of the skin and has a strengthening effect on the ions in the body, thus adding to the beauty and health. It is a proven fact that colors have a huge impact on our body and mind (emotions). The deficiency of a particular color in the body causes ailments which can be cured only after supplementing the body with that particular color. What better way of celebrating a festival which not only brings communities together, but also has healing effects on the bodies and minds of the people celebrating it!

Colors also have a deep association with the seven chakras (plexus) of the body. Each chakra possesses a color. As a result of this, colors have an impact on our body’s energies. They can help clear negative emotions and restore positive energy and balance. This restoration ultimately leads to the restoration of the three doshas Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

It is said that any disturbance within these five elements in the body can lead to an imbalance in the body, mind and soul. That is the reason why it is believed that any imbalance can be fixed by boosting the color associated with the element.

Ayurveda recommends annual “Spring Cleansing” by performing “Vamanam”- Therapeutic Emesis. These cleansing techniques help rid your body of its toxins and “Ama” and leave you feeling healthier, happier and lighter in the coming months. Springtime has some unique qualities that no other season possesses: renewal, growth and awakening. This should urge us to start afresh by getting rid of the past by following the seasonal regimen (Rutucharya) for Vasant Rutu. We say, come to India and embrace all the love!

Wishing all our readers a HAPPY HOLI!

About the author

Vishakha is an Ayurveda practitioner, Yoga counselor and a passionate traveler​. She lays emphasis on living a healthy life by nourishing the body and mind with wholesome and natural food, meditation and yogic techniques. An Indian at heart, she aims at propagating the goodness of the Indian culture across the seven seas and stimulating thoughts by creating a hunger for knowledge.

Delhi is home to several expert wellness retreats. According to the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), “The healthcare industry has been focusing on a curative approach to medicine, rather than preventive” – but this is now set to change. When accrediting wellness centers, they define wellness as “A state of optimal health covering the physical, mental and social aspects of an individual.”

Enter Ayurveda – the latest type of therapy on everyone’s lips (although it has allegedly been practiced in India since prehistoric times). There’s a big focus on the idea that the mind is our most powerful tool when it comes to healing the body.